Resealable tab for a drinking cup

ABSTRACT

A lid and resealable tab for a drinking cup is shown. The lid has an outer edge having a generally circular periphery and a top surface for defining a drinking opening having a predetermined shape and dimension. The lid includes an annular sidewall operatively connected to and extending circumferentially or axially from the lid and in a first direction relative to the top surface. An annular mounting member is formed on the sidewall lid for sealingly engaging the lip of a drinking cup. A resealable tab having a relatively thin, flexible substrate having a first surface and second surface, the substrate having a shape and dimension which is configured to cover the drinking opening with either one of the first surface and second surface is shown. The resealable tab includes a food grade adhesive. In the preferred embodiment, the adhesive is located on one of the first surface and second surface to enable one of the first surface and second surface to be located over the drinking opening and to have the adhesive form a sealing relationship between the top surface and one of the first surface and second surface.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This Application claims the benefit, under Title 35, UnitedStates Code §119(e), of United States Provisional Patent ApplicationSerial No.: 60/224,341 filed Aug. 11, 2000.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT NotApplicable REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” (SEE 37 CFR 1.96) NotApplicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the invention

[0003] This invention relates to a lid and resealable tab for use on alid for a drinking cup and more particularly relates to a lid having atop surface which defines a drinking opening having a predeterminedshape and dimension and a resealable tab having a relatively thin,flexible substrate having a first surface and second surface having afood grade adhesive located between the top surface and one of the firstsurface and second surface, wherein the substrate has a shape anddimension which is adapted to removeably cover the drinking openingthereby preventing spillage.

[0004] In the preferred embodiment, the substrate has a food gradeadhesive coated on one of the tab surfaces to enable the substrate to belocated over the drinking opening and to have the adhesive form asealing relationship between that portion of the top surface surroundingand defining the drinking opening and the surface of the substratepositioned towards or facing the drinking opening. The spacing betweenthe top surface and tab is determined by the thickness of the adhesivelayer which must have a minimum thickness to withstand fluid forces fromthe fluid being directed against the resealable tab.

[0005] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0006] It is known in the prior art to have a lid for a drinking cupwhich has a drinking opening. U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,616 discloses asanitary drink cup lid which includes a drinking cup lid and aprotective covering enclosing the drinking cup lid. The protectivecovering is peeled, by the user, from the drinking cup lid exposing thedrinking opening prior to use. A drinking opening is provided in thecover portion adjacent to the lip portion. The protective coveringenclosing the drinking cup lid comprises a top protective sheet and abottom protective sheet which are joined together beyond the peripheryof the drinking cup lid as well as through the drinking opening. Whenthe protective covering is peeled from the drinking cup, the topprotective sheet, which is joined to an interior section of the bottomprotective sheet, pulls the bottom protective sheet though the drinkopening during removal.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,953,743 discloses a lid for use on a drinking cuphaving a central horizontal cover portion which has a vent means. Thecentral cover portion of the lid has a plurality of downwardly dependingspaced apart channel portion provided therein forming wave dampeningbaffles to dampen the waves of splashing of the contents of the cup tominimize accidental splash actuated-spillage of the contents of the cupthrough the vent opening.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,753,365 discloses a lid for a drinking cup havinga removable tab to permit removal thereof by the fingers of a userengaging a vertical portion of the lid and separating the same from thelid exposing a drinking opening in a predetermined location.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,589,569 discloses a lid for a drinking cupwherein a top wall has a drinking opening formed therein the top wall ofthe lid has a recess formed in it adjacent to a drinking opening toaccommodate the upper lid to accommodate the upper lip of the user.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,438,865 discloses a lid for a drinking cupcomprising a circular-like body having a downturned channel sectionformed continuously about the periphery for engagement at the rim of adrinking cup. The lid is optionally usable in one mode in which a strawis inserted through a straw aperture, while the straw itself issupported by the inner end of the drink tab and in another mode afterthe tab is removed to provide a larger reinforced drink openingincluding part of the straw aperture.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,331 discloses a plastic dome for a drinkingcup which has the capability of functioning as a complete closure lid asa cup and as a drink through lid employing a recloseable-open lidsegment which is used for completely closing the lid.

[0012] U.S. Design Pat. No. 417,845 discloses a drinking lid having araised annular shaped ridge formed around the periphery of the lidwherein the raised annular shaped ridge forms an elongated shaped slotwhich functions as a drinking opening for the drinking lid.

[0013] In the known prior art lids, a user transports a drinking cupcontaining liquid or fluid, e.g. hot coffee, wherein the prior art lidhas an uncovered or open drinking opening such that the liquid or fluidcan splash out of, spout out of, or otherwise be propelled out of thedrinking opening.

[0014] In the known prior art lids which have removable tabs, once theuser removes the tab the liquid or fluid contained within the drinkingcup can splash out of, spout out of or otherwise be propelled out of thedrinking opening.

[0015] In the sanitary drinking cup lid disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,692,616, a protective sheet is formed over the entire lid and isjoined to an inner section of a bottom protective sheet and theintersection of the bottom portion is pulled through the drinkingopening during the user peeling away the protective sheet. Once thedrinking opening has been exposed, the liquid or fluid in the drinkingcup can splash out of, spout out of or otherwise be propelled out of thedrinking opening. Further, the drinking opening cannot be resealed.

[0016] None of the known prior art teaches the use of a resealable tabhaving a relatively thin, flexible substrate and a food grade adhesivefor removeably sealing the drinking opening in a lid for a drinking cup.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The present invention discloses and teaches a new, novel andunique resealable tab adapted to seal a drinking opening on a lid for adrinking cup.

[0018] The known prior art, including the above referenced United StatesPatents, do not disclose, suggest or teach a lid and resealable tab fora drinking cup having a preformed drinking opening, a resealable tabadapted to seal a drinking opening in a lid for a drinking cup or acombination of a drinking cup, a lid and a resealable tab having arelatively thin flexible substrate adapted to cooperate with a foodgrade adhesive to removeably seal a drinking opening.

[0019] Therefore, one of the advantages of the present invention is thata lid for a drinking cup having a drinking opening formed in the lid canhave the drinking opening removeably closed with a resealable tab usingthe teachings of the present invention. The resealable tab preventsspillage, spouting or otherwise propelling of fluid through a drinkingopening.

[0020] Another advantage of the present invention is that the resealabletab can be in the form of a relatively thin, flexible substrate havingfirst surface and second surface wherein the substrate has apredetermined shape and dimension and which is adapted to cover thedrinking opening with either one of the first surface and secondsurface.

[0021] Another advantage of the present invention is that the resealabletab can include a food grade adhesive located between one of thesurfaces of a relatively thin, flexible substrate and the top surfacedefining a drinking opening.

[0022] Another advantage of the present invention is that the food gradeadhesive can be affixed to, preferably coated on, either of the firstsurface and second surface of a thin, flexible substrate.

[0023] Another advantage of the present invention is that the food gradeadhesive can be coated around the periphery of the drinking opening anda relatively thin, flexible substrate can be affixed to the adhesive andenclosing the drinking opening to form a resealable tab.

[0024] Another advantage of the present invention is that the relativelythin, flexible substrate can have a food grade adhesive coated thereonsuch that the substrate can be positioned over the drinking openingexposing a portion of the food grade adhesive to the drinking opening.

[0025] Another advantage of the present invention is that the resealabletab can be removed from the drinking open, placed at a temporarylocation on the lid surface for storage while the user drinks from thedrinking opening and the tab can then be replaced over the drinkingopening until the user desires to drink again from the drinking opening.

[0026] Other features and advantages will appear from the followingdescription in which the preferred embodiments have been set for the indetail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] FIGS. 1(A), 1(B) and 1(C) are top plan views of lids for adrinking cup having a resealable tab of different designs affixed to andsealing a drinking opening;

[0028] FIGS. 2(A), 2(B) and 2(C) are top, front and left sideperspective views of the embodiments of FIGS. 1(A), 1(B) and 1(C),respectively showing the seal in a sealed position, a partially removedposition and fully open position respectively;

[0029] FIGS. 3(A), 3(B) and 3(C) are top plan views of the embodimentsof FIGS. 1(A), 1(B) and 1(C), respectively, wherein the resealable tabsare removed from a sealing relationship with the top surface andexposing the drinking opening formed in a lid and the removed seal istemporarily stored by being placed in the recessed central portion ofthe lid;

[0030]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of another embodiment of a lid having apartially recessed section for receiving the lip of a user and whereinthe sidewalls are formed away from the drinking opening and the drinkingopening is located in the outer edge and is sealed with a resealable tabhaving a relatively thin, flexible substrate having a food gradeadhesive coated thereon;

[0031]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of still another embodiment of a lidhaving a generally circular shaped and having a substantial portion ofthe center lid surface recessed for receiving the lid of a user whereinthe first sidewall and the drinking opening is located on a top surfaceof the sidewall and the drinking opening is sealed with a resealable tabhaving a relatively thin, flexible substrate having a food gradeadhesive coated thereon;

[0032]FIG. 6(A) is a pictorial representation of a circular shapedresealable tab for sealing the drinking opening in a lid having a foodgrade adhesive coated on one surface thereof;

[0033]FIG. 6(B) is a pictorial representation of a circular shapedresealable tab of FIG. 6(A) illustrating a substrate defining theresealable tab and having a food grade adhesive coated on one surfacethereof;

[0034]FIG. 6(C) is a pictorial representation of a circular shapedresealable tab for sealing the drinking opening in a lid having a foodgrade adhesive coated thereon illustrated in FIG. 6(A) and located overan opening formed in a lid to seal the same exposing the remainingportion of the food grade adhesive over the drinking opening;

[0035]FIG. 7(A) is a pictorial representation of a circular shapedresealable tab for sealing the drinking opening in a lid without a foodgrade adhesive coated thereon;

[0036]FIG. 7(B) is a pictorial representation of a circular shapedresealable tab of FIG. 7(A) illustrating a substrate defining theresealable tab and positioned above the drinking opening formed in thetop surface of the lid wherein a food grade adhesive is formed aroundthe periphery of the drinking opening;

[0037]FIG. 7(C) is a pictorial representation of a circular shapedresealable tab for sealing the drinking opening in a lid as illustratedin FIG. 7(B) wherein the food grade adhesive is in sealing engagementwith the circular shaped resealable tab for closing the drinkingopening;

[0038]FIG. 8 is a pictorial representation of an oblong or oval shapedsubstrate adapted for use as a resealable tab for practicing thisinvention and having a protruding lifting member shown by dashed linesto facilitate removal of the tab;

[0039]FIG. 9 is a pictorial representation of an circular shapedsubstrate adapted for use as a resealable tab for practicing thisinvention and having protruding lifting member shown by dashed lines tofacilitate removal of the tab;

[0040]FIG. 10 is a pictorial representation of an elongated circularshaped substrate adapted for use as a resealable tab for practicing thisinvention;

[0041]FIG. 11 is a pictorial representation of a rectangular shapedsubstrate adapted for use as a resealable tab for practicing thisinvention;

[0042]FIG. 12 is a pictorial representation of a combination anelongated circular shaped and rectangular shaped substrate adapted foruse as a resealable tab for practicing this invention;

[0043]FIG. 13 is a pictorial representation of an oblong shapedsubstrate illustrated in FIG. 10 having a protruding lifting memberadapted for use as a resealable tab for practicing this invention; and

[0044]FIG. 14 is a chart illustrating various resealable tab shapes andsizes with the tab size plotted or shown as a function of tab depthwherein the tab size includes 20 mm, 23 mm, 26 mm and 29 mm and the tabdepth includes 14 mm, 17 mm, 22 mm, 25 mm and 30 mm and wherein certainof the shapes of the tabs associated with the illustrated tab size andtab depth are shown together with a lifting member depicted for each tabshape.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] In the embodiments described herein in Figures, the commonelements are identified with the same numbers.

[0046] FIGS. 1(A), 1(B) and 1(C) show a lid 20 and resealable tab 22 fora drinking cup. Each tab may be of a different shape or may be the sameshape but of a different size. Advertising indicia may be included on oraffixed to the tab 22. The lid 20 has an outer edge 26 having agenerally circular periphery and a top surface 30 for defining adrinking opening, visible as element 32 in FIG. 3, and having apredetermined shape and dimension.

[0047] An annular sidewall 40 is operatively connected to and extendscircumferentially or axially from the outer edge 26 and extends in afirst direction relative to the top surface. In FIGS. 1(A), 1(B) and1(C), the sidewall 40 extends away from the top surface 30. Sidewall 40extends higher around about halfway of the periphery of the lid 20.

[0048] An annular mounting member 42 is formed on the lid 20 andfunctions to sealingly engaging the lip of a drinking cup 46. In FIGS.2(A), 2(B) and 2(C), the annular mounting member 42 extendscircumferentially or axially around the edge of the cup 46. Theresealable tab 22 folds over the top surface 44 defined by the annularsidewall 40 to insure a sealing relationship.

[0049] The resealable tab 22 has a relatively thin, flexible substratehaving a first surface and second surface as shown in greater detail inFIGS. 6(A), 6(B), 6(C), 7(A), 7(B) and 7(C). The substrate has apredetermined shape and dimension which is adapted to cover the drinkingopening 32 with either one of the first and second surfaces.

[0050] In FIGS. 1(A), 1(B), 1(C) 2(A), 2(B), 2(C), 3(A), 3(B) and 3(C),the annular sidewall 40 extends in first direction which is away fromthe top surface 30 defining the drinking opening 32.

[0051] In FIGS. 3(A), 3(B) and 3(C) depicts the tab 22 as being removedfrom the opening 32 and being temporarily stored on top surface 30.

[0052] In FIG. 4, the annular sidewall 40 on the outside extends in afirst direction which is away from top surface 30 defining the drinkingopening shown by dashed opening 32′. The partially recessed area shownby arrow 62 communicates with a sloped surface 59 which extends in adirection which is towards the recessed area 62 and top surface 30.

[0053] In FIG. 5, the embodiment of the lid 63 is generally circularshaped and has a raised outer annular ring 64 having sidewalls 66. Thecenter portion adjacent the sidewalls 66 forms a recessed area withinthe central lid surface and is recessed over substantially the entiresurface as shown by recessed area 65. The recessed area 65 is adapted toreceive the lip of a user. A resealable tab 68 is located across thedrinking opening shown by dashed opening 32″ formed in the top surface67 of the annular ring 64. The drinking opening 32″ is located under theresealable tab 68.

[0054] In FIGS. 6(A), 6(B) and 6(C), a resealable tab 70 for a drinkingcup lid surface 80 has a food grade adhesive 72 coated on one of thefirst surface 74 and second surface 76. The adhesive 72 forms a sealinglayer having a predetermined thickness. As shown in FIG. 6(C), the oneof the first surface and second surface is affixed in an opposed spacedrelationship to the drinking opening 32. The spacing therebetween isdetermined by the thickness of the adhesive sealing layer. In FIG. 6(C),surface 76 has the adhesive 72 coated or formed thereon forming anadhesive sealing layer.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 6(A), 6(B), 6(C), 7(A), 7(B) and 7(C), a foodgrade adhesive is located between one of the first surface and secondsurface and a drinking cup lid surface 80 or 100 to enable one of thefirst and second surfaces to be located over the drinking opening 32.The adhesive is shown as 72 in FIG. 6(C) and as 86 in FIG. 7(C) andforms a sealing relationship between that portion of the top surface 30defining the drinking opening 32. In FIGS. 6(A), 6(B) and 6(C), the oneof the first surface and second surface exposes the remaining portion ofthe adhesive to the drinking opening 32 located in the top surface. Thespacing between 72 and drinking cup lid surface 80 is determined by thethickness of the adhesive sealing layer as depicted in FIGS. 6(C) and9(C).

[0056] In FIG. 6(C), the drinking cup lid surface 80 is in sealingengagement with the adhesive 72 which is preferably coated on surface76.

[0057] It is envisioned that any technique for applying the adhesive maybe used in practicing this invention. This includes, without limitation,spraying, coating, vaporizing, sputtering, rolling, affixing preshapedadhesive forms around the opening on the tab surface and any othertechnique known to persons skilled in the art.

[0058] The food grade adhesive may comprise a polyethylene compositionor other food grade adhesive as in well known in the art. For examplelabels affixed to fruit and vegetables have food grade adhesive.

[0059] Preferably, the food grade adhesive comprises a composition whichhas increased adhesivity as the temperature thereof is increased aboveambient temperature. Such an adhesive would provide a better sealant forhot liquids, such as hot coffee in a drinking cup.

[0060] It is envisioned that a combination for protecting the inventionwould comprise the following elements: (i) a drinking cup having a lipdefining a top opening, and (ii) a lid having an outer edge having agenerally circular periphery. In such a combination, the lid includes atop surface for defining a drinking opening having a predetermined shapeand dimension and an annular shaped sidewall which is operativelyconnected to and which extends circumferentially or axially from the lidand in a first direction relative to the top surface. An annularmounting member is formed on the lid for sealingly engaging the lip ofthe drinking cup.

[0061] A resealable tab for use in the combination would have arelatively thin, flexible substrate having a first surface and secondsurface wherein the substrate would have a shape and dimension which isadapted to cover the drinking opening with either one of the firstsurface and second surface. A food grade adhesive is located between oneof the first surface and second surface and the top surface to enableone of the first and second surfaces to be located over the drinkingopening and to have the adhesive form a sealing relationship betweenthat portion of the top surface defining the drinking opening and theone of the first and second surface, the spacing therebetween beingdefined by he thickness of the adhesive layer.

[0062] Thus, FIGS. 6(A), 6(B) and 6(C) covers the preferred embodimentwherein the adhesive 72 is coated on the second surface 76. The secondsurface 76 having the adhesive 72 located thereon is affixed to thedrinking opening 32 exposing that portion of the adhesive not in sealingengagement with surface to the drinking opening 32 to fluid spoutingthrough the sealed drinking opening 32 and into contacting the adhesive72.

[0063] In the alternative, FIGS. 7(A), 7(B) and 7(C) cover theembodiment wherein the adhesive 86 is coated on the top surface of adrinking cup lid surface 100 and no adhesive is affixed to theresealable tab 80. One of the first surface 82 and second surface 84 isaffixed to the adhesive 86 coated on that portion of the top surface ofa drinking cup 100 surrounding the drinking opening 32. This embodimentreduces the amount of adhesive which would come in contact with a fluidspouting through the sealed drinking opening 32.

[0064] In FIG. 8, the pictorial representation of an oblong shapedsubstrate or tab 102 is shown as having a lifting member 103. The tab102 may be used for a drinking opening which can be either oblong oroval in shape. Such shapes of drinking openings are disclosed in theknown prior art lids for drinking cups as described above. Dashed lines103 represent a protruding lifting member to facilitate removal and/orreplacement of the tab 102 on a drinking opening.

[0065] The lifting member can be formed of any predetermined shape, suchas, for example, a protruding lifting member or an elongated liftingmember.

[0066] In FIG. 9, the pictorial representation is of a circular shapedsubstrate 104 adapted for use for removeably sealing a drinking openinghaving a dimension which is less than that of the circular shapedsubstrate. The dimension of the circular shaped substrate should beselected to allow sufficient overlap of the edge thereof beyond theperiphery of the drinking opening. Dashed lines 105 represent aprotruding lifting member to facilitate removal and/or replacement ofthe tab 104 on a drinking opening.

[0067] In FIG. 10, the pictorial representation is of an elongatedshaped substrate or tab 106 adapted for use as a resealable tab forpracticing this invention. Thus, if the shape of the tab is oblong oroval, no lifting member may be required.

[0068] In FIG. 11, the pictorial representation is of a rectangularshaped substrate or tab 108 adapted for use as a resealable tab forpracticing this invention. Tab 108 has an appropriate predeterminedshape and dimension which can be sealed using a rectangular shapedresealable tab.

[0069] In FIG. 12, the pictorial representation is of a resealable tab110 which is a combination of a circular shape and rectangular shapeconfigured for use as a resealable tab for practicing this invention ina manner similar to that described above in connection with FIGS. 8thorough 11.

[0070] In FIG. 13, the pictorial representation is of an oblong shapedsubstrate or tab 112 similar to tab 106 illustrated in FIG. 10, exceptthat tab 112 has a protruding lifting member 114 adapted for use as aresealable tab for practicing this invention. A user can use a user'sfingers to grasp the protruding lifting member for removing theresealable seal from the drinking opening. Also, a user can utilize theprotruding lifting member to reaffix the resealable tab over thedrinking opening.

[0071]FIG. 14 is a chart, which illustrates by shape, several examplesof resealable tabs and associated lifting members for a selected numberof tab sizes, in mm, plotted or shown as a function of tab depth, in mm.In the chart of FIG. 14, a resealable tab having a size of 20 mm and tabdepth of 14 mm is shown to have an oval shape 202 having a liftingmember 204. Tab shape 206 has a lifting tab 208, a size of 23 mm anddepth of 14 mm. Tab shape 210 has a tab size of 26 mm, a tab depth of 14mm and lifting member 212. Tab shape 214 has a size of 29 mm and depthof 14 mm and a lifting member of 216. If the label depth is held atabout 14 mm and the tab size is increased, the resealable tab takes on amore generally oval or oblong shape.

[0072] Resealable tab shapes 302 through 314 are illustrated for tabsizes 20 mm, 23 mm, 26 mm and 29 mm. Each of the tab shapes 302, 306,310 and 314 have lifting members 304, 308, 312 and 316 respectively.

[0073] Tab shapes 402, 406, 410 and 414 are illustrated using the sametab depth of 22 mm, and vary in tab sizes of 20 mm, 23 mm, 26 mm and 29mm respectively. Each tab shapes 402, 406, 410 and 414 have liftingmembers 404, 408, 410 and 414 respectively. Lifting member 408 isdepicted as being formed of a selected shape in the tab 406. Liftingmembers 404, 412 and 416 are shown by dashed lines and can be formed inany appropriate shape.

[0074] Resealable tab shapes having a 25 mm depth and tab size of 20 mm,23 mm, 26 mm and 29 mm are shown by tab shapes 502, 506, 510 and 514having lifting tabs 504, 508, 510 and 516 respectively.

[0075] As shown as tab shapes 502, 506, 510 and 510, as the tab depth isincreased and the tab size approach the tab depth, the resealable tab isgenerally annular or circular shaped.

[0076] However, when the tab depth is increased to 30 mm, the tab shapesshown 602, 606, 610 and 614 are more oval shaped at tab sizes 20 mm and23 mm, but become more annular shaped as shown by tab shapes 610 and612. Resealable tab 614 is generally circular shaped. Each of the tabshapes 602, 604, 610 and 614 have a lifting member depicted in dashedmembers 604, 608, 612 and 616, respectively. As depicted in liftingmember 604, the lifting tab can extend to be a significantly extendedprotruding lifting member. In the alternative, the lifting member can bea thin elongated member as depicted by lifting tab 616.

[0077] It is envisioned that the teaching of this invention could beused for a lid to be applied to a container, for any beverage, liquid orthe lid where the lid has an orifice, opening or aperture that could beused as an access opening pouring opening, drinking opening, strawpassage opening or the like when the lid is operatively attached to acontainer. The orifice, opening or aperture in the lid can be resealedusing the resealable tab of the present invention.

[0078] The fluid, beverage or the like placed in a container having alid and drinking opening closed or sealed using the resealable tab ofthe present invention may be hot or cold fluid or liquid. It isenvisioned that a variety or known food grade adhesives could be used inpracticing this invention depending on the application.

[0079] The thickness of the adhesive layer may preferably be selected tovary from about 0.001 inch to about 0.010 inch. In certain applicationswhere a strong bonding is required, the thickness may be greater thanabout 0.010 inch. In certain applications the thickness may be less thanabout 0.001 inch depending on the requirements, such as dimension andshape of the opening. The adhesive layer must be of a sufficient orminimum thickness to not be opened or unsealed by the force of the fluidspouting through the sealed opening. If the adhesive layer is too thick,the tab may be to high off of the drinking opening, which isundesirable.

[0080] Also, if a more aggressive adhesive is required, the surface areaof the adhesive seeking area can be increased. Generally, this wouldrequire the use of a tab having a greater surface area for engaging andsealing with the top surface.

[0081] It is envisioned that all variations of the resealable tabshapes, size, adhesives, thickness of the adhesive sealing layer andopening size can be accommodated using the teachings of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lid and resealable tab for a drinking cupcomprising a lid having an outer edge having a generally circularperiphery; a top surface for defining a drinking opening having apredetermined shape and dimension; an annular side wall operativelyconnected to and extending from said outer edge and in a selecteddirection relative to said top surface; an annular mounting memberformed on said sidewall for sealingly engaging a lip of a drinking cup;a resealable tab having a relatively thin, flexible substrate having afirst surface and a second surface, said substrate having a shape anddimension which is configured to cover said drinking opening with eitherone of said first surface and second surface; and a food grade adhesivelocated between one of said first surface and second surface and saidtop surface to enable one of said first surface and second surface to belocated over said drinking opening and to have said adhesive form asealing relationship between that portion of the top surface definingsaid drinking opening and said one of said first surface and secondsurface.
 2. The lid and resealable tab for a drinking cup of claim 1wherein said annular sidewall selected direction is away from said topsurface defining the drinking opening.
 3. The lid and resealable tab fora drinking cup of claim 1 wherein said annular sidewall selecteddirection is towards said top surface defining the drinking opening. 4.The lid and resealable tab for a drinking cup of claim 1 wherein saidadhesive is coated on one said first surface and second surface and saidone of said first surface and second surface is affixed to the drinkingopening to expose the remaining portion of the adhesive to the drinkingopening located in the top surface.
 5. The lid and resealable tab for adrinking cup of claim 1 wherein said adhesive is coated on said topsurface and said one of the first surface and second surface is affixedto the adhesive coated on that portion of the top surface surroundingthe drinking opening.
 6. The lid and resealable tab claim 1, whereinsaid lid further comprises a central portion which communicates with thesealed outer edges.
 7. The lid and resealed tab of claim 6 wherein thelid center portion has a partially recessed area for receiving the lipof a user.
 8. The lid and resealable tab of claim 6 wherein the centralportion is a generally recessed area for receiving the lip of a user. 9.The lid and resealable tab of claim 1 wherein said substrate isgenerally oval in shape.
 10. A resealable tab adapted to seal a drinkingopening formed in a lid for a drinking cup said resealable tabcomprising. a relatively thin, flexible substrate having a first surfaceand second surface, said substrate having a shape and dimension which isadapted to cover said drinking opening with either one of said firstsurface and second surface; and a food grade adhesive located betweenone of said first surface and second surface and said top surface toenable one of said first surface and second surface to be located oversaid drinking opening wherein said adhesive forms a sealing layer of apredetermined thickness between that portion of the top surface definingsaid drinking opening and said one of said first surface and secondsurface, the spacing therebetween being determined by the thickness ofsaid adhesive sealing layer.
 11. The resealable tab of claim 10 whereinsaid food grade adhesive comprises a polyurethane composition.
 12. Theresealable tab of claim 10 wherein said food grade adhesive comprises acomposition which has increased adhesivity as the temperature thereof isincreased above ambient temperature.
 13. The resealable tab of claim 10wherein said lid includes an annular sidewall which extend, in aselected direction which is away from said top surface defining thedrinking opening.
 14. The resealable tab of claim 10 wherein said lidincludes an annular sidewall which extends in a selected direction whichis towards said top surface defining the drinking opening.
 15. The lidand resealable tab for a drinking cup of claim 10 wherein said adhesiveis coated on one said first surface and second surface and said one ofsaid first surface and second surface is affixed to the drinkingopening.
 16. The resealable tab of claim 10 wherein said adhesive iscoated on said top surface and said one of the first surface and secondsurface is affixed to the adhesive coated on that portion of the topsurface surrounding the drinking opening.
 17. The resealable tab ofclaim 10 wherein said substrate is generally oval in shape.
 18. Theresealable tab of claim 10 wherein substrate is generally circular inshape.
 19. The resealable tab of claim 17 wherein said generally ovalshaped substrate has a lifting member.
 20. The resealable tab of claim17 wherein and generally oval shaped substrate has a protruding liftingmember.
 21. The resealable tab of claim 18 wherein said generallycircular shaped substrate has a lifting member.
 22. The resealable tabof claim 18 wherein said generally circular shaped substrate has aprotruding lifting member.
 23. In combination, a drinking cup having alip defining a top opening; a lid having an outer edge having agenerally circular periphery; top surface for defining a drinkingopening having a predetermined shape and dimension; an annular side walloperatively connected to and extending from said outer edge and in aselected direction relative to said top surface; an annular mountingmember formed on said sidewall for sealingly engaging the lip of thedrinking cup; a resealable tab having a flexible substrate having afirst surface and second surface, said substrate having a shape anddimension which is adapted to cover said drinking opening with eitherone of said first surface and second surface; and a food grade adhesivelocated between one of said first surface and second surface and saidtop surface to enable one of said first and second surfaces to belocated over said drinking opening and to have said adhesive form asealing relationship between that portion of the top surface definingsaid drinking opening and said one of said first surface and secondsurface.
 24. The combination of claim 23 wherein said annular sidewallselected direction is away from said top surface defining the drinkingopening.
 25. The combination of claim 23 wherein said annular sidewallselected direction is towards said top surface defining the drinkingopening.
 26. The combination of claim 23 wherein said adhesive is coatedon one said first surface and second surface and said one of said firstsurface and second surface having said adhesive coated thereon isaffixed to the drinking opening.
 27. The combination of claim 23 whereinsaid adhesive is coated on said top surface and said one of the firstsurface and second surface is affixed to the adhesive coated on thatportion of the top surface surrounding the drinking opening.
 28. Thecombination of claim 23 wherein said food grade adhesive comprises apolyurethane composition.
 29. The combination of claim 23 wherein saidfood grade adhesive comprises a composition which has increasedadhesivity as the temperature thereof is increased above ambienttemperature.
 30. A lid and tab for a container comprising a lid havingan outer edge having a generally circular periphery; a top surface fordefining an orifice having a predetermined shape and dimension; anannular side wall operatively connected to and extending axially fromsaid outer edge and in a first direction relative to said top surface;an annular mounting member formed on said sidewall for sealinglyengaging a lip of a container; a resealable tab having a relativelythin, flexible substrate having a first surface and second surface, saidsubstrate having a shape and dimension which is adapted to cover saidorifice with either one of said first surface and second surface; and afood grade adhesive located between one of said first surface and secondsurface and said top surface to enable one of said first surface andsecond surface to be located over said orifice and to have said adhesiveform a sealing relationship between that portion of the top surfacedefining said orifice and said one of said first surface and secondsurface.
 31. A method for preventing spilling of a fluid from a drinkingcup having a top surface defining a drinking opening comprising the stepof: affixing a resealable tab which is configured to cover said drinkingopening wherein said resealable tab has a relatively thin, flexiblesubstrate and a first surface and a second surface wherein saidsubstrate has a shape and dimension to cover said drinking opening witheither one of said first surface and second surface, and wherein atleast one of said first surface, said second surface and said topsurface has a food grade adhesive located thereon to enable saidadhesive to form a sealing relationship between that portion of the topsurface defining said drinking opening and at least one of said firstsurface and second surface.
 32. The method of claim 31 wherein the stepof affixing includes a resealable tab having said adhesive located on atleast one of said first surface and said second surface which forms asealing relationship with the top surface defining said drinkingopening.
 33. The method of claim 31 wherein the step of affixingincludes said top surface having said adhesive located which forms asealing relationship with at least one of said first surface and saidsecond surface.
 34. The method of claim 31 wherein said step of affixingincludes a food grade adhesive.
 35. The method of claim 34 wherein thestep of affixing includes a food grade adhesive comprising apolyurethane composition.
 36. The method of claim 34 wherein the step ofaffixing includes a food grade adhesive comprising a composition whichhas increased adhesivity as the temperature thereof is increased aboveambient temperature.